The massive magi-screen in the command room displayed a series of arrows being fired in rapid succession from the three disks.
The footage was being relayed from a Peeper. Such a device was invaluable in these moments, as it provided an objective, third-person perspective of the aerial engagement.
"The arrows they’re firing are relatively short, but their range is quite formidable," Laojun reported.
The Konron 2 maintained its buoyancy with gas bags filled with helium. If those bags were punctured, it would lose its lift and, in the worst-case scenario, plummet to the ground.
However, since the ship was equipped with force generators, it was unlikely to actually crash so easily. Furthermore, gas bags reinforced with Ground Spider resin were tough enough to withstand ordinary arrows.
"Still, we can’t afford to take them lightly," Jin muttered.
Just then, Sion, Marikka, and Elsa entered the command room.
"Jin!"
"Jin-sama!"
"Jin-nii."
After receiving a brief briefing on the situation from Laojun, the three of them turned their attention to the screen.
"They've actually started attacking?" Sion asked. Elsa, meanwhile, remained calm as she analyzed the scene.
"Did they lose their patience? If so, the opponent might not be a magi-brain after all."
"Yeah," Jin agreed. "More importantly, we need to decide how to handle this."
Under Edgar’s expert piloting, the Konron 2 continued to evade the barrage of arrows launched by its pursuers. The ship performed loops, Immelmann turns, outside loops, and Split-Ss. By utilizing the force generators to enhance its maneuverability, the Konron 2 held its own against the three disks without yielding an inch.
"You can do it, Edgar!" Elsa cheered.
However, the situation shifted when the disks scattered to flank the ship, launching a coordinated attack from three directions. Unable to evade every projectile, the Konron 2 was struck by several arrows.
"It looks like the Ground Spider resin bags are holding up," Jin noted.
Even so, he wasn't about to get complacent. He reached a decision.
"Edgar, switch to using the force generators as your primary means of propulsion!"
With that command, the Konron 2’s mobility surged, far outstripping that of the enemy disks.
"Good work, Edgar. We shouldn't show off an extreme performance gap unless necessary, but let's give them something to think about. Fire the magi-cannon at minimum output. Use lead shells."
"Understood," came the reply.
Having received its orders, the Konron 2 performed a loop to reposition behind the disks and fired two shots from its magi-cannon. Since the output was set to the absolute minimum, the shells barely reached the speed of sound.
Yet, it was more than enough.
One shell scored a direct hit on a disk. Because the projectile was lead, it didn't blow the craft out of the sky, but it clearly crippled its mobility.
The ship fired two more rounds at a different disk.
Perhaps becoming wary after seeing their comrade hit, the remaining enemies managed to dodge the next volley and launched a counterattack. The Konron 2 performed a steep dive to avoid the fire.
In terms of pure airframe maneuverability, the disks still had the advantage. Two of them dove sharply to pursue the Konron 2.
Edgar suddenly pulled the Konron 2 out of its dive, sending it into a steep, rapid climb. The disks followed suit without a moment’s hesitation.
"Between that mobility and their reaction speed, they’re definitely not to be underestimated," Jin observed.
He suspected these were likely lower-tier units for the enemy, yet they were clearly more advanced than the technology currently prevalent in Ars.
"Alright, Edgar. Try firing the magi-cannon again, but increase the output slightly."
"Yes, Master."
While the shells fired at subsonic speeds had been dodged, the lead projectiles launched at Mach 2 were powerful enough to force another disk out of the battle.
However, the final disk proved to be a stubborn opponent, and the battle reached a stalemate. Moving east along the equator at zero degrees latitude, the two craft engaged in a high-speed game of cat and mouse that eventually brought them quite far to the east.
At roughly twenty degrees longitude, they were practically a stone's throw from Hourai Island.
"Is there any way we can support them from here?" Jin wondered aloud. "I’d like to secure at least one of those things."
"My Lord, in that case, we should transport it to Kunlun Island rather than bringing it here," Laojun suggested.
"Good point."
Since Kunlun Island was publicly known as the base of the "Lord of Kunlun," Jin Nidou, it was the appropriate place for such an operation.
"Furthermore," Laojun continued, "if we are to capture it, we must disable it first. Otherwise, there is a high probability it will transmit our data back to its controllers."
"True... So, how do we do that specifically?"
"We shall have a Falcon use its Invisible function to approach and deploy a barrier. This will sever its magical communications. From there, we will use a transporter to perform a short-range teleportation together. Once we have visually broken their pursuit, we can neutralize the craft with an ether eliminator."
Jin considered Laojun's proposal for a moment before nodding. "Alright, let's go with that."
"Understood."
The instructions were immediately relayed to Edgar on the Konron 2, while Falcon 1 took off from Hourai Island. Using its transporter, Falcon 1 blinked into the vicinity of the Konron 2. With its Invisible function active, there was no risk of it being spotted visually.
Falcon 1 closed in on the remaining disk. The moment it deployed its barrier, it activated the ether eliminator and teleported both itself and the disk to the airspace above Kunlun Island.
"Mission successful. We have secured the disk and are forcing a landing."
Waiting for them was Condor 1, a large transport aircraft. Keeping its Invisible and barrier functions active, it secured the disk and brought it down to the surface of Kunlun Island.
A Smith squad was already on standby. They swarmed the disk immediately, beginning its disassembly and analysis.
"Communication systems neutralized," Laojun reported. "Power supply disconnected."
"You did it. Good work," Jin said.
"We are proceeding with the full teardown and analysis."
"I'll head over as soon as the initial disassembly is finished."
"Understood."
"You did it, Jin!" Sion cried out.
"Jin-nii, will this help us find out more about them?" Elsa asked. Both she and Sion had been watching the dogfight with bated breath.
"Yeah. Even if the enemy considers these low-level machines they don't mind losing, there's still a wealth of information to be gained."
"Like what?"
"By examining the processing and assembly precision of the parts, we can estimate the level of their manufacturing technology."
"...I see."
"Knowing the purity of the materials will tell us about their refining capabilities," Jin continued. "That's what analysis is all about."
Sion let out a voice of genuine admiration. "As expected of a Magi Craft Meister..."
"Even the smallest details can reveal a great deal of information," Jin said, feeling a bit sheepish at her praise.
On the screen before them, the disk was being rapidly dismantled.
"My Lord, the primary structural material is 64 light silver. The energy supply system utilizes ether converters and mana drivers."
"Hoh."
Jin suspected the reason they weren't using magi reactors was likely an attempt to camouflage their true technological level.
"The device used for data transmission is similar to a manacam."
"Is it safe now?" Jin asked.
"Yes. We have searched with the utmost care for self-destruct mechanisms, but there appear to be none."
"Alright. I'm going to Kunlun Island. Elsa, I'm leaving you in charge here."
Jin left the command room and headed for the Warp Gate room, accompanied only by Reiko.
"Have a safe trip, Jin-nii," Elsa said.
"Take care, Jin," Sion added.
The two of them watched as Jin disappeared down the hall.